Articles

Peeks Toronto Caribbean Carnival gets ready to heat up the Toronto streets

Published

6 years ago

June 5, 2018

BY: LEANNE BENN

The weather is warm and the streets are alive, this can only mean we’re entering one of the most fun seasons of the year, Carnival season of course. This year marks the 51^stcelebration of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival in Toronto. With its second year under the headline sponsor of Peeks Social, the Peeks Toronto Caribbean Carnival is back with more lively dancing in the streets, intricate and colourfulMas costumes and genuine togetherness.

Opening remarks by Toronto Mayor, John Tory and Toronto City Council Joe Mihevc at the media preview day for the festival emphasized just how much Carnival does for the city of Toronto; it’s a fusion of culture and celebration.

“This started off as a gift to immigrants and it has become rooted in our culture of what it means to be a Torontonian,” Mihevc remarked. Mihevc has spent over 21 years supporting Toronto Caribbean Carnival as the official council liaison and this year a proposed $625,000 is going to council towards fundingof Toronto Carnival.

However, Carnival is more than just an economic anchor for the city, it is also a cultural powerhouse that brings communities together. From parents to kids, you can find communities working together, for instance at different Mas costume camps across the city that make costumes for the adult and kid-friendlyevents associated with carnival. This all-inclusive affair is truly one major street party, where all are welcome to partake in classic Caribbean vibes.

Chief Executive Officer of the Festival Management Committee, Denise Herrera Jackson is marking another year on board with the festival and highlighted the importance of the sponsors for the festival, the bandleaders and the creative arts directors for each band.

This year, approximately 12 bands so far are set to hit the road: Venom, E.P.I.C Carnival, Tribal Carnival, Toronto Revellers Cultural Assoc. Louis Saldenah Mas KClub, Fantazia Carnival, Concept Costumes Creators, D’New Regulars, Atlantic Mas, Sunlime Canada, Allure Carnival and Carnival Nationz which will feature the 2018 and nine-time reigning Queen of Carnival, Joella Crichton. Each band will offer an exciting theme to accompany the beautiful costumes and sections within their group. From Birds of Paradise to themes of Wonderland and Love, the costumes reflect the dedication and hard work that many commit to making this festival come alive through the arts. This is why the scientific aspect of costume design is recognized, by the Ontario Science Centre, where they will award the Innovation In Mas Award, focused on the design and engineering of costumes on August 2, to one creative band designer.

With all the events scheduled to happen, Toronto Carnival will be three weeks of enjoying Caribbean culture as many will have a chance to take part in the delicious food, the dancing, the music, and the arts. With Peeks Social as the headline sponsor, this organization is spending their second year committed to broadcasting live coverage available around the world. Due to the innovative culture and technology available at Peeks, those that want to be in tune with Carnival can follow along closely through the Peeks Social App. Other Media sponsors for the festival include CTV and CP24 which will be celebrating their 10^thyear of television coverage of the festival. Contributing and corporate sponsors include Caribbean Airlines, Grace Foods, The Ontario Science Centre, OLG, Exhibition Place, Woodbine Mall Holdings, Radisson Hotel, El Dorado Rum and new to the list this year, Flow Hydration, to make sure you’re properly hydrated while dancing in the warm sunshine.

In terms of the schedule of events, the official launch of this year’s festival will take place on July 10th at Nathan Phillips Sq. from 11 AM to 2 PM and will showcase three major artistic groups associated with Carnival: The Toronto Mas Bands, the Organization of Calypso Performing artists and The Ontario Steelpan Association.

The Junior Carnival King and Queen Showcase and the Junior Carnival Parade will take place on July 15th and 21th respectively. There will be an elegant Carnival Ball on July 27th at the Beamsfield Centre at Exhibition Place. The adult King and Queen Showcase will be onAugust 2nd and a new event this yearwill be a Friday Night Mas onAugust 3rd at Ontario Place from 9 pmto midnight which starts the lively party before the grand parade on August 4th starting at 8 AM. There are many more events all leadingup to the grand parade including a newly added breakfast party, a traditional church service and the lighting of the CN Tower. To get the full list of events and the official map route, visit Peeks Social online, download their app or visit #GoTOCarnival. Also,remember to #respectthemas and #respectthedance but most importantly have fun!

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The cost of convenience: how much does delivery really cost?

Published

3 days ago

April 25, 2024

TOCaribNews

BY AMARI SUKHDEO

Have you ever been excited to camp-in and order your favourite meal for delivery, only to be taken aback by that bill? That $18 ramen suddenly balloons to $32. Why the hefty price tag? Here’s what’s happening:

Markup mayhem:

When opposed to ordering straight from the restaurant, ordering through delivery apps frequently entails a surreptitious price increase. The menu items found on these platforms are typically more expensive than those found inside. Remarkably, a recent survey found that the cost of things ordered through delivery apps may be up to 26% more than that of items ordered straight from the restaurant. A lot of customers are caught by surprise by this markup, which turns what could have been a relatively inexpensive dinner into a costly affair.

Fee fiasco:

Not only is there a markup, but there are also significant service costs added to the bill. For instance, Uber Eats determines prices based on the quantity of your order, while DoorDash charges a $3 minimum service fee in addition to a 15% service charge. These extra fees have the potential to significantly raise the overall cost of your meal, giving customers the impression that they have been taken advantage of.

Restaurant shares:

It’s not just diners who are experiencing financial hardship. Restaurants face a big competition from delivery apps, which can take up to 30% of their earnings. This is especially true for smaller businesses that depend significantly on delivery services. Restaurants may find it extremely challenging to generate a profit due to the weight of high commissions, given their already extremely narrow profit margins.

A troubling tendency is shown through data: the cost of using delivery apps is progressively going up. Fees have increased to previously unheard-of heights in recent years, leaving many customers unable to pay more for their favourite dishes. For a few, the price hike has caused them to reconsider their dining options.

At home diners, keep in mind that you have to account for the hidden expenses the next time the convenience of a takeaway menu entices you. It’s a story about: delivery workers’ financial struggles, increased rates, and outrageous surcharges. Bon appétit, with caution.

https://www.vox.com/money/24118201/food-delivery-cost-expensive-doordash-ubereats-grubhub

https://www.foodandwine.com/news/delivery-app-prices-higher-fees-2021-pandemic

Junior Contributors

Beneath the waves: Unveiling the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade in the Bahamas

Published

3 days ago

April 25, 2024

TOCaribNews

BY KAHA G. – 15 YEARS OLD

What is archaeology? Archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation: of artifacts, structures, and other physical remains. It helps us understand past cultures, societies, and lifestyles by analyzing material culture left behind by ancient civilizations. In this case, archaeologists in the Bahamas have found underwater wrecks of 14 sailing ships involved in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade between Africa and the Americans.

The Bahamas Lost Ships Project, led by Allen Exploration and the Bahamas Maritime Museum, aims to catalog shipwrecks in the Bahamas. They’ve found 596 wrecks so far, dating back to 1657. Also, these findings were published around Black History Month, emphasizing the importance of preserving the experiences of marginalized communities.

The Bahamas’ history is deeply connected to the transatlantic slave trade, with events like the arrival of the first slaving vessels shaping the islands’ population. The wrecks of ships like the Nancy and the General Oglethorpe remind us of the individuals who suffered and resisted enslavement. This research also highlights the Bahamas’ role in the transatlantic slave trade, connecting: Africa, the American Southeast, Cuba, and the Gulf of Mexico. Making it an important trade route for these places.

According to Livescience, the wrecks included the “Peter Mowell which is an American schooner (sailing vessel) that sank off Lynyard Cay near Great Abaco Island in 1860 with about 400 enslaved Africans on board; as well as smaller vessels that carried slaves to plantations for sugar, coffee, cotton and tobacco in North America and around the Caribbean.”

Alongside that, the team of archaeologists, and Allen Exploration have found three wrecks, but their locations are currently undisclosed. The CEO, emphasized the historical significance of these wrecks, noting their importance in understanding the conditions aboard slave ships and the broader history of the slave trade.

Additionally, the type of living conditions of enslaved Black people were atrocious. They lived in miserable huts, which were said to be “Unfit for the habitation of wild beasts.” They wore iron slave collars and worked seven days a week, with just four hours a day of rest in cane-cutting season. Unfortunately, about 10% of enslaved Africans died on the plantations in Cuba each year during the slave trade, and some were even flogged to death.

In conclusion, the discovery of these shipwrecks in the Bahamas sheds light on a significant, yet often overlooked aspect of human history: the transatlantic slave trade. These findings provide valuable insights into the conditions endured by enslaved individuals and the intricate networks that facilitated this cruel trade. As we continue to explore and preserve these historical sites, we honor the resilience and bravery of those who resisted oppression and strive to ensure that their stories are remembered for generations to come.